Device for the prevention of railroad hold-ups.



PATENTED DEC. 6, 1904.

S. A. KITGHENBR. DEVICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF RAILROAD HO LDUPS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6. 1904.

L E D o M 0 N UNITED STATES Patented. December 6, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

DEVICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF RAILROAD HOLD-UPS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,599, dated December 6, 190 1.

Application filed January 6, 1904:. Serial No. 187,920. (No model.)

To all lull/ mt it nerdy concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL A. KITOHENER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of San Joaquin and State of California, have invented a new and useful Device for the Prevention of Railroad Hold-Ups, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved method of defense against would-be train robbers wherein the engineer may dislodge any person who attempts to climb over the rear of the tender.

The object of my invention is to provide the engineer with a quick and effective defense which will leave him free to continue with his train to a point where the robbers dare not operate. This I accomplish by the peculiar construction, novel combination, and adaptation of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation of the cab and tender of a railway-locomotive, showing my device installed thereon. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the top portion of the cab. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of the operating-valve.

Similar letters and figures of reference ind icate corresponding parts in the several views.

1 represents the cab of a locomotive, and 2 the tender usually attached in the rear.

My invention may be attached to any engine either before or in course of construction by tapping the boiler 3 at any point, preferably below the water-line, and securing a pipe 4 thereto, which is adapted to extendbeneath the floor 5 of the platform Where the engineer rests his feet while the engine is running, and from thence along the angle of the cab to the roof thereof.v A pipe 6, having perforations in one side thereof, is located, preferably, beneath the cove of the rear caves of the roof of the cab, where it may be concealed as much as possible without obstructing the flow of water and steam, as will be more fully described. The pipe 6 is connected to the pipe 4, so that when a valve 7 is opened hot water and steam are forced through the perforations in the pipe 6, covering the tender with a spray 8, which is directed and distributed over the entire top of the tender by reason of the location of the perforations in the pipe 6.

I incorporate a valve 7 in the pipe 4 at a location where the engineer may open it, when desired, by a pressure of the foot. The valve 7 I prefer to be a type which may be easily-and quickly opened. I have illustrated a type of the slide globe-valve, which may be adapted for this purpose. The valve is adapted to open by a pressure on the stem 5 downwardly. The body a of the valve is similar to the common globevalve. The stem Z) is provided with an enlargen'ient c at a point above the packing-chamber cl, which is adapted to engage one or more springs f, attached to the packing-chamber aforesaid. The stem (0 may be extended to a convenient length and terminated in a knob g. It is preferred when installing my invention to place the valve beneath the floor, with the stem 7) and knob protruding through an opening in the floor within convenient reach of the engineers foot. If desired, another such valve may be arranged for operation with the hands, (shown at 9, Fig. l.)

A pipe, as 4, may be connected to the pipe 4 between the valve 7 and the boiler and also connected to the pipe a between the valve 7 and the pipe 6, thus making a complete passage from the boiler to the pipe 6. The valve 9 may be installed in said pipe 42 at a point where it may be easily reached by the hand. By this arrangement my invention may be operated either by the hand or foot.

The operation is as follows: In a great many cases, perhaps the majority, train robbers board the train and climb over the rear of the tender in order to cover the engineer and compel him to stop when desired. When an attempt of this kind is made, the engineer presses the knob g, which opens the valve 7 allowing the full pressure of the boiler to spray hot water and steam over the tender, scalding and blinding any one attempting to climb upon it. As the stem bis pressed down the springs f yield and allow the enlargement 0 to pass to the point shown in dotted lines, where it is maintained by said springs,

preventing the valve from being closed until desired. l/Vhen it is desired to shutoff the water and steam, the knob g is grasped and pulled up, where it is maintained by said springs f.

My invention is not confined to the engine and tender entirely, but may be installed on the express and mail cars by extending any suitable flexible connection from engine to car and placing the perforated pipe 6 conveniently over the door or other exposed location.

I donot confine myself to the particular style of valve 7 shown, as any valve that can be opened quickly may be substituted without departing from the spirit of my invention; neither do I confine myself to the par: ticular location of the pipe 6 shown, as it may be located on the tender as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination with a source of steam and water supply, a pipe communicating therewith, and a perforated spray-pipe connected to the first-mentioned pipe, of a combined closure and relief-valve interposed in the firstmentioned pipe, and having a stem provided on its outer end with a knob, an integral enlargement on said stem below the knob, and a pair of springs secured at their lower ends to the valve-casing, and bent inwardly intermediate their ends, and flared outwardly at their upper ends to form shoulders for engagement with the enlargement on the valvestem, for the purpose described.

2. The combination with a source of steam and water supply, a pair of pipes communieating therewith, and a perforated spray-pipe connected to the said pipes, and a valve interposed in each of said pipes, each valve having an extended stem provided intermediate its ends with an annular enlargement, and springs secured at their lower ends to the upper end of the valve-casings, and having in-bowed portions forming shoulders to engage above the enlargement on the Valvestem, to hold the valve in the open position, and flared or bent outwardly at their upper ends to form shoulders for engagement underneath the enlargement on the valve-stem to hold the valve in the closed position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL A. KITCHENER.

\Vitnesses:

JOSHUA B. WEBSTER, PERCY S. VVEBSTER. 

